California Company Buys Orlando College, 15 More

Schools In Tampa And Fort Lauderdale Are Now Operated By Corinthian Colleges Inc.

October 18, 1996|By Roger Roy of The Sentinel Staff

Orlando College and 15 other career schools across the nation were purchased Thursday by Corinthian Colleges Inc., making the California company the nation's largest operator of private post-secondary schools.

Privately held Corinthian purchased the north and south campuses of Orlando College and Orlando College in Melbourne from Mississippi-based Phillips Colleges Inc. for $30 million.

The deal also included four schools in Tampa, one in Fort Lauderdale, and others in Pennsylvania, Colorado, Washington, Nevada, New York, Utah, Oregon and Missouri.

The Orlando Colleges, which together with five other colleges make up Florida Metropolitan University, are accredited schools offering master's and bachelor's degrees in such fields as accounting, computer programming, and business administration.

Corinthian President David Moore said the company plans no staff changes at the Orlando College campuses and students won't see any immediate changes.

''We do have plans to make sizable investments in these schools,'' Moore said. ''We are impressed with the commitment of Phillips' staff and faculty to educational excellence, a commitment we share at CCi (Corinthian), and look forward to maximizing the career potential of students at all three Orlando Colleges over the years ahead.''

The Orlando College campuses each have 300 to 400 students, Moore said.